9 Holy Ghost, and these three are one. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; and this is the testimony of God, which he hath testified of 10 his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God, hath the testimony in himself. He that believeth not God, hath made him a liar, because he believeth not the testimony 11 which he hath testified of his Son. And this is the testimony, that God hath given us eternal life, and this life is 12 in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

the Spirit-Whose testimony was added chiefly after his glorification, (ch. ii. 27, Jon xv. 26, Acts. v. 32, Rom. viii. 16.) And these three are one-Even as those two, the Father and the Son are one, (John x. 30.). Nothing can separate the Spirit from the Father and the Son. If he were not one with the Father and the Son, the apostle ought to have said, The Father and the Word (who are one) and the Spirit, are two. But this is contrary to the whole tenor of revelation. It remains, that these three are one. They are one in essence, in knowledge, in will, and in their testimony.

It is observable, the Three in one verse, are opposed, not conjointly, but severally to the Three in the other: as if he had said, not only the Spirit testifies, but also the Father, (John v. 37.) Not only the water, but also the Word, (John iii. 11, x. 41.) Not only the blood, but also the Holy Ghost, (John xv. 26, &c.) It must now appear to every reasonable man, how absolutely necessary the eight h verse is. St. John could not think of the testimony of the Spirit, and water, and blood, and subjoin, The testimony of God is greater, without thinking also of the testimony of the Son and Holy Ghost, yea, and mentioning it in so solemn an enumeratiou. Nor can any possible reason be devised, why without Three testifying in heaven-He should enumerate three, and no more who testify' on earth-The testimony of all is given on earth, not in heaven, but they who testify are part on earth, part in heaven; the witnesses who are on earth testify chiefly concerning his abode on earth, though not excluding his state of exaltation. The witnesses who are in heaven testify chiefly concerning his glory at God's right hand, though not excluding his state of humiliation.

The seventh verse, therefore, with the sixth, contains a recapitulation of the whole economy of Christ, from his baptism to pentecost; the eighth, the sum of the divine economy, from the time of his exaltation.

Hence it farther appears, that this position of the seventh and eighth verses, which places those who testify on earth, before those who testify in heaven, is abundantly preferable to the other, and affords a gradation admirably suited to the subject.

V. 9. If we receive the testimony of men- -As we do continually, and must do In a thousand instances, the testimony of God is greater-Of higher authority, and much more worthy to be received: namely, this very testimony, which God' the Father, together with the Word, and the Spirit, hath testified of the Son, as the Saviour of the world.

V. 10. He that believeth on the Son of God, hath the testimony-The clear evidence of this, in himself: he that believeth not God, in this, hath made him a liar, because he supposes that to be false which God bas expressly testified.

V. 11. And this is the sum of that testimony, that God hath given us a title to, and the real beginning of eternal life: and that this is purchased by, and treasured up in, his Son, who has all the springs and the fulness of it in himself, to communicate to his body, the church, first in grace, and then in glory.

V. 12. It plainly follows, He that hath the Son-Living and reigning in him by faith, hath this life: he that hath not the Son of God, hath not this life.

13 These things have I written to you who believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know, that ye who believe on the name of the Son of God, have eternal life. 14. And this is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. 15 And if we know that he heareth us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked 16 of him. If any one see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, let him ask, and he will give him, life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death, 17 I do not say that he shall pray for that. All unrighteous18 ness is sin: but there is a sin not unto death. We know

that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is born of God keepeth himself, and the wicked one 19 toucheth him not. We know that we are of God, and 20 the whole world lieth in the wicked one. But we know

Hath no part or lot therein. In the former clause, the apostle says simply the Son, because believers know him; in the latter, the Son of God, that unbelievers may know how great a blessing they fall short of.

V. 13. These things have I written-In the introduction, chap. i. 4, he said, I write; now, in the close, I have written; that ye may know-With a fuller and stronger assurance, that ye have eternal life.

V. 14. And we-Who believe, have this farther confidence in him, that he heareth-That is, favourably regards, whatever prayer we offer in faith, according to his revealed will.

V. 15. We have-Faith anticipates the blessings, the petitions which we have asked of him-Even before the event. And when the event comes, we know it comes in answer to our prayer.

V. 16. This extends to things of the greatest importance. If any one see his brother-That is, any man, sin a sin which is not unto death-That is, any sin, but total apostasy from both the power and form of godliness; let him ask, and God will give him life-Pardon and spiritual life for that sinner. There is a sin unto death, I do not say that he shall pray for that-That is, let him not pray for it. A sin unto death, may likewise mean, one which God has determined to punish with death.

V. 17. All deviation from perfect holiness is sin; but all sin is not unpardonable.

V. 18. Yet this gives us no encouragement to sin. On the contrary, it is an indisputable truth, He that is born of God-That sees and loves God, sinneth not-So long as that loving faith abides in him. He ueither speaks nor does any thing which God hath forbidden. He keepeth himself-Watching unto prayer; and-While he does this, the wicked one toucheth him not-So as to hurt him.

V. 19. We know that we are children of God-By the witness and the fruit of his Spirit, chap. iii. 24. But the whole world-All who have not his Spirit, not only is touched by him, but by idolatry, fraud, violence, lasciviousness, impiety, all manner of wickedness, lieth in the wicked one~Void of life, void of sense. In this short expression, the horrible state of the world is painted in the most lively colours: a comment on which we have, in the actions, conversations, contracts, quarrels, and friendships of worldly men.

V. 20. And we know-By all these infallible proofs, that the Son of God is come-Into the world. And he hath given us a spiritual understanding, that we may know him, the true one, the faithful and true witness: and we are in the

that the Son of God is come; and he hath given us an understanding that we may know the true one; and we are in the true one, even in his Son Jesus Christ: this is 21 the true God, and eternal life. Beloved children, keep yourselves from idols..

true one-As branches in the vine, even in Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God. This Jesus is the only living and true God, together with the Father and with the Spirit, and the original fountain of eternal life. So the beginning and the end of the epistle agree.

V. 21. Keep yourselves from idols—From all worship of false gods, from all worship of images or of any creature, and from every inward idut; from loving, desiring, fearing any thing more than God. Seek all help and defence from evil, all happiness in the true God alone.

NOTES

ON

THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST. JOHN..

The Parts of this Epistle, (written to some Christian Matron, and her religious Children,) are three :

1. The Inscription,

11. An Exhortation to persevere in true Faith and Love, HI. The Conclusion,

ver. 1-3. 4-1. 12, 13.

JJ. St. John.

1. THE elder unto the elect Kuria and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not I only, but likewise all 2 who know the truth, For the truth's sake, which abideth 3 in us, and shall be with us for ever. Grace be with you, mercy and peace from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

4

I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in the truth, as we received commandment from the

Ver. 1. The elder-An appellation suited to a familiar letter, but upon a weighty subject, to the elect That is, Christian. Kuria is undoubtedly a proper name, both here and in ver. 5. For it was not then usual to apply the title of Lady to any but the Roman empress, neither would such a manner of speaking have been suitable to the simplicity and dignity of the apostle; whom Both her and her children, I love in the truth With uufeigned and holy love.

V. 2. For the truth's sake, which abideth in us—As a living principle of faith and holiness.

V. 3. Grace takes away guilt; mercy, misery; peace implies the abiding in grace and mercy. It includes the testimony of God's Spirit, both that we are his children, and that all our ways are acceptable to him. This is the very foretaste of heaven itself, where it is perfected in truth and love-Or, faith and love, as St. Paul speaks. Faith and truth, are here synonymous terms.

V. 4. I found of thy children-Probably in their aunt's house, ver. 13, walking in the truth-In faith and love.

!

5 Father. And now I beseech thee, Kuria, (not as writing a new commandment to thee, but that which we had from 6 the beginning,) that we may love one another. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment as ye have heard from the beginning, 7 that ye may walk in it. For many seducers are entered into the world, who confess not Jesus Christ that came in 8 the flesh. This is the seducer and the antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not the things we have 9 wrought, but receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he 10 hath both the Father and the Son. If any come to you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your 11 house, neither bid him God speed. For he that biddeth him God speed, is a partaker of his evil deeds.

12

Having many things to write to you, I was not minded to write with paper and ink: but I trust to come to you 13 and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. The children of thy elect sister salute thee.

V. 5. That which we had from the beginning-Of our Lord's ministry. Indeed it was, in some sense, from the beginning of the world: that we maylove one another-More abundantly.

V. 6. And this is the proof of true love, universal obedience, built on the love of God: this-Love, is the great commandment which ye have heard fron the beginning of our preaching.

V. 7. Carefully keep what ye have heard from the beginning, for many seducers are entered into the world, who confess not Jesus Christ that came in the flesh-Who disbelieve either his prophetic, or priestly, or kingly office. Whosoever does this, is the seducer-From God, and the antichrist—Fighting against Christ.

V. 8. That we lose not the things which we have wrought-Which every apostate does; but receive a full reward-Having fully employed all our talents to the glory of him that gave them. Here again the apostle modestly transfers it to himself.

V. 9. Receive this as a certain rule. Whosoever transgresseth-Any law of God, hath not God-For his Father and his God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ-Believing and obeying it, he hath both the Father and the Son-For bis God.

V. 10. If any come to you-Either as a teacher or a brother, and bring not this doctrine-That is, advance any thing contrary to it, receive him not into. your house-As either a teacher or a brother; neither bid him God speed-Give him no encouragement therein.

V. 11. For he that biddeth him God speed-That gives him any eneouragement, is accessary to his evil deeds.

V. 12. Having many things to write, I was not minded to write now-Only of these; which were then peculiarly needful.

V. 13. The children of thy elect, or Christian, sister-Absent, if not dead, when the apostle wrote this.